Empress Beatrix was furious. She stormed into the Defense Minister's office, leaving the aids outside bowing to thin air.
"How dare you!" She screamed at him. "How dare you undermine me in front of MY council and our allies!"
"Beatrix-" he began.
"Do not Beatrix me! I am your Empress. You are in service to me! My wishes are your desires! I want him dead!" She continued. He gave her a few moments before trying again.
"Empress, I simply cannot condemn a man to death for a crime he didn't really commit. Only you and I know this ugly truth. You sold it well and my sources say the lithoids believe every word. Even their psychics didn't detect the deception. You are in the clear and can spare a life. Think of how this will make you look. A stern and commanding yet compassionate Empress. People will adore you for being so merciful and you will gain much popularity with your people. Whereas if you condemn this man to death, you will seem calloused and angry. A young empress on a warpath against anyone who disrupts her agenda."
"Disrupting my agenda." She repeated. Calm now but with a venomous tone. "We are framing this man for a crime against the species. There should be no mercy. It would make me appear weak."
"The bottom line is yours, My Lady. You can make the final conviction. But know this, should you condemn this man to death, and the councilmen vote in majority of exile, you will appear to be ignoring the advice of your council. And you will appear much more weak than if you exiled him. He will not be an issue once exiled and will likely die to space disease or Marauders. The blood will not be on your hands and the problem will still be solved. I can tell you now that I am confident the council will vote for exile. Make your choice wisely, Empress."
Beatrix stormed out of his office, leaving aids once again bowing to nothing.